The bustling streets of Mumbai hummed around Ishaan as he pulled the bike to a stop just outside Ari's office gate. With a quick glance at his phone, he texted her, "Waiting at the gate." A moment later, her reply pinged back: "I'll be out in 5 min." He leaned against the bike, the warm afternoon air brushing past, his mind steady with purpose. Soon, Ari emerged, her face lighting up as she spotted him. They exchanged a nod and sped off toward home.
On the ride, the wind carried their words. "Today, I went to see a friend," Ishaan said, his voice clear. "He has a computer repair shop, and I'd like to work there part-time."
Ari's eyes widened, surprise breaking her usual calm. "Yes, sure," she replied, her tone brightening. "But why a computer shop?"
"I worked at one before," Ishaan explained, keeping his focus on the road. "I know the work, and I'm good at it. But the pay…" He paused, choosing his words. "My friend will decide on my pay after seeing my work for a month."
"No problem," Ari said, a smile tugging at her lips. She was genuinely happy that Ishaan wanted to step out and earn on his own. Yet, a thought crept in. "What about Mom and Dad? Will they agree?"
"Don't worry," Ishaan reassured her, his tone confident. "I'll do all the housework before leaving, just like today. And I'll drop and pick you up from the office too. It'll be fine as long as you're okay with it."
"I'm not just okay," Ari laughed, her voice bubbling with joy. "I'm extremely okay!" Her happiness shone through—she loved that Ishaan was taking this step, a sign of growth she hadn't expected.
But another concern surfaced. "But the bike," she said, frowning slightly. "Dad won't allow us to take it every day."
Ishaan considered it, his mind working fast. "My friend works from home and has a bike," he said smoothly. "Since he isn't paying me for the first month, he offered to let me use it and even cover the petrol." It sounded reasonable, and Ari nodded, trusting his plan.
"After dropping you, I'll go to his place by local and bring his bike," Ishaan added, keeping his lie steady. In truth, he had no intention of relying on Ravi's bike—he'd need to buy a second-hand one soon. "A used bike will do," he thought to himself. "It'll be mine, a start to something bigger."
They reached home, the conversation lingering like a promise. Ari stepped off, her smile lingering. "I'm proud of you," she said softly.
Ishaan grinned. "Thanks. Let's make it work." Ishaan and Ari stepped inside. The air shifted instantly, thick with tension, as Lajja's voice roared from the living room. "How dare you run away without asking me!" she bellowed, her eyes blazing with fury. "Not returning all day—where were you, you ungrateful wretch? You eat for free, live for free, and now you think you can just take the bike and vanish?"
Ishaan stood tall, his voice calm but firm. "But I completed the housework before I left."
"No!" Lajja snapped, cutting him off. "You should have taken my permission! How dare you take the bike as well? You use our stuff for free—our food, our roof, our resources! Who do you think you are?"
Ari stepped forward, her patience snapping. "Enough, Mom! I asked him to drop me," she said, her tone sharp. "It's very difficult to change locals and autos, so I want him to drop me every day."
Lajja's face twisted with indignation. "But this is your father's bike! How will he go to the farm then? How will he take me somewhere I want? We only have one bike because of him! If you hadn't married this useless orphan, we wouldn't have had to give up our house and car!"
Ishaan met her gaze steadily, his chiseled frame radiating quiet strength. "I'll handle it," he said simply, his mind already turning to the second-hand bike he planned to buy.
Ari glared at her mother. "He's trying to help, Mom. Let him."
Lajja huffed, crossing her arms. "Help? He's a burden! You'll see—he'll ruin us more!"
The argument hung heavy, but Ishaan's resolve only grew stronger, a silent promise to prove them wrong.